Ex-England coach Clive Woodward has singled out where Steve Borthwick’s side must improve if they are to defeat the All Blacks in the third match of their Autumn Nations Series.
Borthwick’s England stretched their winning streak to eight Test matches when they beat Australia in London last Saturday, and Woodward believes this run can extend to 10 on November 15 when the All Blacks visit after this weekend’s clash with Fiji.
England finished up with a convincing 25-7 victory over the Wallabies but Woodward, the coach who led them to glory at Rugby World Cup 2023, believes a hurry up is needed in one particular area if Borthwick is to secure his first win over the All Blacks since becoming head coach after the 2022 Autumn Nations Series resulted in the sacking of Eddie Jones.
Jones’ England snatched a 25-all draw against New Zealand in his second-last match in charge three years ago, which still eclipses what the English have done in their three games under Borthwick against the Kiwis.
“England weren’t accurate enough…”
England lost 15-16 and 17-24 in Dunedin and Auckland in July 2024 on a two-match tour of New Zealand, and they also lost 12 months ago 22-24 at Twickenham in the most recent meeting between the two countries.
However, Woodward is now backing Borthwick to break his duck, provided some much-needed remedial work is done in the one area that he felt left much to be desired in the winning performance over the Wallabies.
Writing in the Daily Mail, the ex-England boss said: “Steve Borthwick’s side were the better team and deserved victors. They can be happy enough, knowing that they can still improve significantly. And they will have to if they are to beat New Zealand later this month. The big area to work on and learning with the All Blacks in mind is the breakdown.
“England weren’t accurate enough at the contact area. In total, they conceded 13 penalties. Australia offered little as an attacking threat, but they stole back possession six times at the breakdown.
“To a degree, you could expect a degree of rust from England given this was their first game and they had not had that much preparation time. To that end, a final score of 25-7 represents a convincing win. However, Borthwick will know the contact area numbers must improve.
“Australia weren’t able to punish England’s inaccuracies and Fiji are unlikely to trouble them next week either. But you can bet your bottom dollar the All Blacks will. If England can’t get clean possession against New Zealand, they won’t be able to win. It must be an area of focus for Borthwick and his coaching staff in the build-up to that game over the next fortnight.
“I’ve always maintained that to be a World Cup-winning team, your penalty count across 80 minutes must be in the single figures. The 13 conceded against Australia was too many. At the same time, too many of those 13 came at the breakdown.”
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“England had a kick-dominated game plan and that was savvy considering the impact rain had on the conditions. But even with that, they only won 59 rucks and lost eight of those. To be the team they want to be, England need to retain possession for long periods, stress defences and score as a result.
“They can’t do that with breakdown inaccuracies. Their killer instinct and ruthless conversion of opportunities can also take a step forward.”
Woodward went on to praise England’s strength in the carry and the “significant impetus” of their bench, adding that the “back-row resources are quite astonishing”. Singling out the try-scoring Henry Pollock, he said: “In just two games for England, both of which have seen him start as a replacement, Pollock has three tries in only 36 minutes of action. That’s impressive by anyone’s book.”
The former head coach also insisted that Borthwick must stick with the tactic of playing Tommy Freeman at outside centre, even though the more recognised winger was quiet during his midfield appearance against the Wallabies.
“It would be a total waste to revert back to a player other than Freeman in the No.13 jersey. He will get better and better the more time he spends in that jersey,” he reckoned.
Woodward concluded: “England have now won their last eight matches. That run should go to nine against Fiji and then it’s the All Blacks. That game will define the success of England’s autumn campaign. It’s one they are capable of winning, so long as they tidy up certain areas and continue their upward trajectory.”